Oklahoma delegation says cockfighting a state issue

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Most of Oklahoma's congressional delegation opposes a bill giving federal protection to fighting roosters, even though cockfighting is a hot-button issue at home. <br><br>Bills

Monday, March 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Most of Oklahoma's congressional delegation opposes a bill giving federal protection to fighting roosters, even though cockfighting is a hot-button issue at home.

Bills sponsored by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., would ban shipments of roosters across state lines for the purpose of fighting. A similar ban already applies to dogs. A Senate bill is on its way out of committee.

But Sen. Jim Inhofe and Reps. Steve Largent, Tom Coburn, Wes Watkins and Ernest Istook said they oppose the federal legislation because they say cockfighting is a state issue.

Sen. Don Nickles remains undecided, and Reps. J.C. Watts and Frank Lucas chose not to answer when the Tulsa World asked for their opinions.

Cockfighting is legal only in Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico. Oklahoma opponents are close to getting a state question on the ballot this year seeking to outlaw it.

Coburn said federal legislation is "totally inappropriate." He said he is not comfortable with what little he has heard about cockfighting, specifically the blades handlers attach to the roosters during fights.

Coburn said his opposition to cockfighting would increase if he became convinced that gambling was the main reason cockfights are held. Inhofe spokesman Gary Hoitsma said the senator is not for the Allard legislation, but is not actively involved in getting it defeated.

Largent said he thought laws against illegal gambling should been forced. "If we do that, I think the cockfighting issue goes away," said Largent. Watts did comment that he hadn't been to a cockfight and didn't want to go.

Nickles said the topic is big in southeastern Oklahoma. "My guess is the ban that is going to be voted on in November is going to pass," Nickles said. Nickles said he knows how he'll vote on the state cockfighting issue, but he hasn't announced it. He said he usually doesn't announce personal positions on state issues. Inhofe said he announced positions on state issues and will do so on cockfighting.